Buckle



0f .9, 1945 F. E. MEFFQRD l 2,386,251

\ i BUCKLE Filed Jan; 1, 1944 fla] T/{@ 15 2275.y 7 21u; j --Z 1- JA B Jl ,1

Figi 255- 5L Eg 5 E@ E515 Ezzji A E F 1 51W I 2 fn-: i:

l :W4-1;, i mi: v

Patented Oct. 9, 1945 UNITED ASTMES PATENT' 'o1-*mcs BUCKLE Y Fred E.VMefford, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Application January 1, 1944, Serial No. 516,685 (Cl. 24-200) Claims.

My invention relates to buckles and my'object in general is to provide a smooth acting, quick' releasing take up buckle for webbing and the like. Specific objects are to provide a buckle of this character for use in tourniquets whereby the tourniquet can be tightened and released with the minimum discomfort to the patient on which the tourniquet is used, and to provide means in the buckle so the tourniquet can be adjusted by pulling either or both ends of the web. Another ob-ject is to provide means and facilities whereby the web can be released by tilting the buckle away from the limb of the patient. Other objects will appear as the description progresses.

Figure 1 represents a view of one embodiment of the invention having facilities whereby both end portions of a web can be pulled through the.

buckle simultaneously; Fig. 2, a front View of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a modification provided with two tilting arms; Fig. 4, a front view of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a modification having facilities -for adjustment of a web from one end only; Fig. 6, a front View of Fig. 5; Fig. '7, a modication having two tilting arms and facilities for adjusting a web from but one end; Fig. 8, a front View of Fig. 7; Fig. 9, a modification having an angular tilting arm; Fig. 101, a front view of Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a View of the buckle illustrated in Fig. 1, in association with the web of a tourniquet; Fig. 12, a view of a tourniquet including the modification illustrated in Fig. 3; Fig. 13, a tourniquet including the modification illustrated in Fig. 5; Fig. 14, a front View of Fig. 13; Fig. 15, an edge View of the tourniquet showing the buckle in a tilted position to release the web; Fig. 16, a view of the modification illustrated in Fig. 9 in association with two webs in normal positions; Fig. 17, an edge view showing the buckle tilted upward to release the lower web; Fig. 18, a View illustrating one method of forming the buckle; and Fig. 19, a View of a modification of the buckle.

Although I show the preferred embodiments of my invention I do not confine myself to the precise forms shown but wish it understood that such forms come within the scope of what hereinafter is claimed and that changes in the details of construction may be made within the claims to adap-t the buckle to various uses not shown in the drawing.

As shown in Fig. l, the buckle consists of a single piece of wire the intermediate portion of which is formed into a return bend I and the end portions formed into substantially closed loops 2-3 disposed in substantial registration, the loop 2 being narrower than the loop `3 so as to space the side A of loop 2 from the side C of loop A3,`and the side B of loop 2 from the side D ofloop 3.

In Fig. 3 the buckle consists of a single piece of wire the intermediate portions of which are formed into return bends I and IA connected by a straight portion VIB, and the end portions formed into loops 2-3 disposed in substantial registration as in Fig. 1.

In` Fig. 5 the buckle is the same as shown in Fig. 1 except the side D of loop 3 is disposed under the side B- of loop 2.`

In Fig. '7, the buckle is the same' as inv Fig. 3, except the side D of loop 3 is disposed under the side B of loop 2.

In Fig. 9 the buckle is the same as in Fig. 5 except the return bend is angular.

In Fig. 11, one end portion E lof the web 4 is run through both loops and returned through loop 3 between the side A of loop 2 and the side- C of loop 3, and the end portion F is run through both loops and returned through loop 3 between the side B of loop 2 and the side D of loop 3.

In Fig. 12, one end portion E of the web 4 is run through both loops and returned between the side A of loop 2 and the side C of loop 3, and the other end portion F is run through both loops and returned through loop' 3 between the side B of loop 2 and the side D of loop 3. The tourniquet in Fig. 12 may be tightened by pulling both ends simultaneously or -by pulling each end separately. The end portion E may be released by lifting the tilting arm IA and the end portion F may be released by lifting the tilting arm I In Fig. 13, one end portion E of the web is run through loop 3, folded upon itself and secured by stitching S or otherwise. The other end F is run through loop 3 and returned through both loops between the sides A and B of loop 2, the side D of loop 3 being under the side B of loop 2.

In Fig. 16, an end portion of the web 5 is run through both loops, returned through the return bend portion l, folded upon itself and secured stitching S or otherwise. An end portion I-I of the web 6 is run through both loops and returned through loop 3. The web 6 is released by tilting the buckle upward as shown in Fig, 1'7.

In Fig. 17 the return bend portion aiTords a hand' hold to operate the buckle as a lever of the third class. In the other views the buckle is Shown insuch association with the web that operation as a lever of the second class is desirable and therefore the return bend should extend far enough to afford a convenient han-d hold.

In the tourniquet illustrated in Figs, 11-12A both ends of the web may be pulled through the buckle simultaneously or one at a time. This feature permits the buckle to be maintained in one spot so that a pad may be placed under the buckle over the artery of the patient upon which the tourniquet is used. Either end of the web may be released by lifting the proper return bend away from the patient if the tourniquet illustrated in Fig. 12 is used. In Fig. 11 the web is released by lifting the return bend I upward away from the patient.

Only one end of the web can be pulled through the buckle in the tourniquet shown in Fig. 12.

To tighten the web, the end portion F is pulled the proper distance. The web is; released by lift-' 'ing the return bend l so as to tilt the buckle at an angle to the web after which the web can be drawn through the buckle in either direction.

One method of forming the modification shown in Fig. 9 is illustrated in Fig. 18. In this method the loops are iirst formed in the end portions of the-wire .and then the intermediate portion is formed into the return bend. The dotted positions of the loops illustrate the rst step and the full lines, the second step.

I claim:

l. A take up buckle for webbing consisting oi an integral wire structure including a return bend and a Pair of oblong loops disposed in substantial registration, one loop being narrower than the other loop and the return bend extended from said loops to provide a tilting arm for the buckle.

2. A take up buckle for webbing consisting ol an integral wire structure including a return bend and a pair of oblong web receiving loops disposed in substantial registration, the loops having substantially equal major diameters and unequal minor diameters, each side of the narrower loop being spaced laterally from the adjacent side of the wider loop to admit a web therebetween.

3. A vtake up buckle for webbing consisting of a single piece of wire, the intermediate portion of which is formed into a return bend and each end portion formed into an oblong web receiving loop, one loop being narrower than the other loop and disposed thereon so as to provide clearance between one side of the narrower loop and the ad- ',iacent side of the wider loop for the admission of a web therebetween.

4. A buckle consisting of a single piece of wire the intermediate portion of which is formed into a return bend and each end portion formed into an oblong loop, the loops having substantially equal major diameters and unequal minor diameters, the narrower loop being disposed on the wider loopso as to space each side of the narrower loop from the adjacent side of the Wider loop for the reception of a web therebetween.

5.,-A take up buckle consisting of a single piece of -wire the intermediate portion of which is formed into two return bends and each end portion. formed into an oblong web receiving loop, the loops being disposed one over the other and the return bends extended to provide tilting arms for the buckle. A FRED E. MEFFORD. 

